SSC Selection Post 2025 PYQ — Question 4

Correct Answer

Three

Explanation

The primary objective of India's flagship Gaganyaan mission, spearheaded by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is to launch a crew of three astronauts into a 400 km Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This marks India's very first human spaceflight program.

The mission is designed to be a three-day journey to demonstrate human spaceflight capability by launching the crew into orbit and safely bringing them back to Earth with a splashdown in Indian sea waters. While four astronaut-designates (Prashanth Nair, Angad Prathap, Ajit Krishnan, and Shubhanshu Shukla) have been selected and trained, the final orbital module will accommodate a crew of three members.

Key Points

Upon the successful completion of this mission, India will become the fourth nation in the world to launch an independent human spaceflight mission, following the Soviet Union, the United States, and China. The launch vehicle designated for this historic mission is the LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3), which is ISRO's heaviest and most reliable rocket. To ensure absolute safety, the spacecraft is equipped with an advanced Crew Escape System (CES) to protect the astronauts in case of any launch emergencies.

Important Questions and Answers

Question: Which heavy-lift launch vehicle of ISRO has been configured for the historic Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission?

Answer: LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3).

Question: What is the target orbital altitude (in kilometers) where the Gaganyaan crew module will be positioned during its three-day orbital stay?

Answer: Approximately 400 kilometers.